Coin controlled lock



May 12, 1931.

A. GABRIEL com CONTROLLED LOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5. 1927 INVENTOR. flwuonsrs GABRIEL y/ 4mg. w4u I A TTORNEY y 1931- A. GABRIEL. 1,894,411

COIN CONTROLLED LOCK Filed May 3, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR. 33 I/ 24 flLPHolvsE GABRIEL.

ATTORNEY Patented May 12, 1931 1,se4,411 i hurrah s rarss elirnonsn Gasman or oAKtANDjcALIFoaNIA corn CONTROLLED Loo'x Application filed May a, 1927. Serial No.;188,4.-72.

My invention relates to a door-lock which is arranged to be rendered operable by and upon the deposit of a coin, or the like, therein,

and articularl relates to im rovements in alock of thetype disclosed in my application Serial-No.115,228 'filed June 11, 1926.

' An object of the invention is to provide a lock of the class described having a single means operated by the lock to prevent the insertion of a second coin while a first coin" is operatively disposed in the lock and to positively indicate the presence of the first coin in thelock. I

Another object of the invention is to'pr0 vicle a coin-controlled lock with means positively insuring the ejectionof an operating coin from the lock mechanism when an exit operation of the lock is effected;

' A further objectof the invention is to provide ina lock of-the class described, an improved closure means for the coin receptacle .of the lock.

, The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a side sectional view of a lock embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a side View of the lock, portions thereof being broken away. -l Figure 8 is an edge view of the lock installed on a door, portions of the lock structurebeing broken away. I

' Figure 4 is afragmentary front view of the lock.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a modified form of the lock.

' Figure 6 is a section taken at the line 66 in Figure 1.

. As illustrated in the drawings, the lock 7 of my inventioncomprises a movable latch plate8 carrying a latch bolt 9, and means independently operable from diiferent sides of the door for actuating the-'latch-plate to withdraw the bolt, one of said means being coin-controlled. The lock mechanism, it will be noted, is here shown mounted on a plate 11 arranged to be secured directly to a door 12, whichplate conveniently serves as a part of the lock housing. Movement ofthe latchplate is arranged to be accomplished from the outer side of the door upon the appro-; priate manipulation'of a spindle 13 which carries a member 14 having an arm- 16 ex-. 1 tendmgradially therefrom, which latter, in

cooperation with a coin, is directly utilized in effecting the movement of the latch plate:

The latch-plate 8, it will now be noted, is mounted for reciprocation above the spindle 13 in suitable guideways provided in the plate '11 and a plate 17, which latter plate is arranged to be held in fixed opposed relatione? to the plate 11 by means of cooperating spacing posts ,18 extending from the plate, and screws 19. Furthermore, the latch plate is vertically slottedat its inner end to provide a space 21 in which the arm 16 is arranged to be: normally'permitted to freely oscillate withv out effecting any movement of the latch-plate.

The latchrplateportions 22 which provide the side walls of the space 21 are provided with opposed vertically disposed grooves 23 of; such depth that together they define a guide: way for a coin of the denomination to be used in the look. When, as shownin Figure 1, a coin 24 is disposed in the slots 23, it will be obvious that the rotation of the arm16 from-e3 a position forwardly of the coin will cause it to engage the latter, and that further rotation of the arm will cause the retractive movement of the latch-plate through the engagement of opposite portions of the coin against the'iat rearward edges of slots 23. In this manner, the coin itself is actually utilized as an operative part of the lock, since without it the retraction of the latch-plate by -means of arm 16 is impossible. The arm 16, it will be noted,f-.9 is arranged to be normally held positioned forwardly of the coin slots 23 by means of a suitable spring 27 operatively connecting the member 14: to a point on the plate-11 forwardly of said member, the forward nim 'e-fi'. E

ment of the arm being limited by its contact with the forward wall 28 defining the space 21, so that the arm 16 will thus normally lie in fixed relation to the latchplate.

Means are provided for holding the coin in proper operativeeposition in the slots 23 during the oscillation of the arm, and, as here shown, such means comprise the provision of a shoulder or seat 29 atthe base of the arm 16 so disposed that the lower edge of the coin y will rest and be held thereon when the'coin is properly positioned in the slots. 7 In this manner, movement of the arm toward the coin will not dislodge the latter until the latchplatehas been retracted and operation of the latchin the manner specified is assured. v

In locks of the class described it is usually desirable to be able 'toopen the'door from the inner side independently of the coin controlled means, and, as here shown, means are provided comprising a second spin'dle'31 having a radial arm 32 extending therefrom to engage the rearward wall33 of'the space 21 and operable from the inside'of the door to thus retract'the latch-plate independently of the arm 16'. The slots'23,'it willnow ben'o'ted,

are somewhat wider than the thickness of'the coin andthe seat 29 slopes rearwardly and dewnwardlmso that when the arm 16 retracts 'th'e'la't'ch-plaTte to its rearward position the coi'n' will slide downwardly from its seat and out of the slots. In this manner, the placing of a coin in the lock mechanism will allow the retraction of the bolt by the operation of thespindle 13 from the outside of the door, while'the operation of the spindle 31 to cause the retraction ofth'e latch-plate will open the door from the inner side thereof.

To insure the release of a coinjfrom the mechanism upon the operation ofthe spindle 13',"a leaf spring 34 is provided, such spring being disposed to engage and slidably bear upon the top of the coin 'when'the latch bolt is withdrawn, so that should the coin tend to remain in'thelock when spindle 13 is operated, its engagement with spring 34 will force I it from its seat.

, Mean-s are provided for barring the insertion of a coin or other object in the latch plate and behind the arm 16 when the latter is positioned rearwardly of the plane of the 'guideway as by the turning of the spindle with or without a coin operatively' disposed in'th'e lock. As here shown, such means com- 'prisesa' projection 37 extending forwardly from the end of the arm generally at right angles thereto and arranged to extend across and-over the upper end of the space defined b'y slots 23 when'the arm is in the position stated. In this manner, in the event that the spindle 13 is rotated prior to the insertion'of a coin in the guideway, the deliberate "or accidental holding of the latch-plate in withdrawn position by the insertion of such 'coin orother'foreign obj eat in the latch-plate is positively prevented, it being noted that the projection 37 is preferably so positioned and of such width as to substantially complet-ely cover the portion of the latch plate opening 21 forwardly of the arm 16 when the arm is in its rearward position. In this manner, a coin or other object inserted while the arm 16 is retracted will merely ride on the top of the projection 37 thereof and so be kept out of the operative mechanism.

Insertion of'the coin into the slots 23 is arranged to be effected from the front of the lock, and the plate 17 is accordingly provided with a vertically directed slot 38 generally opposite the up 1' side of the latchplate, whichslotis pre erably no longerthan the diameter of a coin of proper size. Preferably, and as here shown, the slot 38 extends slightly below theto'p line of'the latch plate '8, and 'afpor'tion of the 'a'djacent latch' plate" wall 22'at theupper end-of its groove'23is exit away as'at 40'. In this manner, 'thedatch plate itselfb'a-r's the insertiono'f a coin of proper'size for use in the lock except when the grooves 23 and 's1ot'38 are in coplanar shown slidably secured to the plate17 by meansof headed posts 41 engaged in slots 42 of the plate 39 and screwed to the plate 17. The plate 39, it will the noted, is resiliently urged to be 'dispo'sedin its forward, or inoperative position, by suitable'meanssuch as the flat coil spring=4i3 here shown mounted on 'theplate 17 by means of one of thescrews 19 and having thefr'ee'endthereof operatively bearing-against the rear edgeof theplate 39; A'rearwardly directed edge 44 is provided'on the" plate 39, such edge being arranged to be normally disposed "adj acent the forward edge of the slot 38 to extend've'rtically therealong-whereby the slot'xvill beileft open when'the plate39 is in its forwardpd sition and will be covered when'the plate is moved rearwardly.

It will now benoted'that an outwardly eX tending pin 46 is "provided-on the outer' side of the latch plate,- such pin extending through a slot 47 provided inthe portion of plate 17 opposite thereto and into the plane of the plate 39. A forwardly directed edge portion-483s provided on the plate 39 for engagement with the pinlfi'whereby retraction of the latch plate 8 will'eflect the retraction of the plate 39. It will now be clear that when the lockbolt is withdrawn by the aid of .the coin, theoperativeipositioning of plate 39 to effect aclosure of the .s1ot38will be simultaneously effected, but that if the plate 39 is at all times freely movable with the latch plate, the slot 38 would be Opened again when the bolt returns to its operative position. Means are accordingly provided for securing the plate 39 in operative position after its disposal in such position by means of the operation of the lock through the coin, such means being arranged for the release of the plate only when the exit, or inside, spindle 31 is operatively rotated.

Mounted on the plate 17 adjacent the rear end thereof is a leaf spring 49, having its free end operative against and closely overlying the rearmost portion 51 of the plate 39. Fixed to the spring to extend inwardly there from to normally bear against the plate portion 51 is a detent pin 52, such pin being so disposed that it will engage in a slot provided in the plate portion 51 when the latter is in retracted position, a slot 42 being here shown utilized for the purpose. In this manner, when the plate 39 is retracted, the pin 52 will engage in the slot 42 of the plate portion 51 and so prevent the return movement of the plate 39 when the latch bolt returns to its operative position. The spring 49 is here shown also arranged in contactual relation to the forward end of the spindle 31, such spindle end being provided with an annular and axially extending cam edge 53 arranged to cooperate with the spring end to displace the same outwardly of the plate 39 to free the pin from slot 42 when the spindle is rotated to withdraw the latch plate. In this manner, release of the plate 39 from its operative disposition to close slot 38 is arranged to occur only when an exit opening of the lock is effected.

A casing 54 for the structure now described is provided, said casing being here shown of one-piece structure and having side and front plate portions 56 and 57 respectively which cooperate with the back plate 11 to provide a complete closure for the lock mechanism. An opening 58 is provided in the casing front 57 opposite the slot 38 to permit the insertion of a coin in the look when said slot is open, while the latch bolt is arranged to be reciprocated through a side perforation 59 havin guard flanges 61 disposed therearound. Means are preferably provided for indicating the operative condition of the lock, and as here shown, such means comprises the display of appropriate symbols 62 at the front of the lock in accordance with the position of plate 39. Preferably, and as here being so disposed that the one indicating an In this manner, the insertion of a coin in the lock when the latter already contains a coin is positivelyprevented and the condition of the lock'is'at the same time positively indicated. e e

As here shown, the casing 54 is provided with a door openin 63 in the front 57 thereof for the reception 0 a door 64 and is arranged to be secured to the plate 11 partly by means of screw bolts 65 whose heads are exposed only when the door is open, and partly by means of a locking means 66 provided for the door. In the present embodiment, the

door opening provides an inwardly offset seat 67 in which the door is arranged to be disposed in flush relation with the wall 57. Upperportions of the seat are broken away to permit backwardly offset extensions 68 provided on the top door edge to be inserted behind the wall 57 when the dooris disposed in the opening. The door is arranged to be locked to its seat by means of a key operated and controlled lock 69 having the bolt end 71 thereof operatively engageable through and behind a forwardly offset portion 72 of the plate 11. The bolt end 71 is provided with radially opposed extensions 73 arranged, when operative, to beengag-ed behind the wall portion 72, such wall being so perforated as to permitthe removal of the bolt when it is inoperative. Since a quarter turn only is involved as between the locked and unlocked positions of the bolt, a stop 70 is preferably provided on the lock mechanism housing, which sto is arranged to cooperate with stops 76 and 7 provided on the bolt to limit the bolt rotation to a'quarter turn. In this manner, the door is locked to the back plate 11, thus providing a locking means for the door whichalso assists in securing the casing sections together.

As hereshown, thespindle 13 is operable by meansof a knob 81 fixed thereto at the front of'the door, while the spindle 31 is arranged to be operated from the inside of the door by a suitable knob (not shown) so that dropping of the coin and the clearing of slot 38 is thus insured upon the opening of the door'to effect an exit. If desired, the operation of the spindle 31 may also be effected from the outside of the door by theuse of a suitable key, the casing being here shown provided with asuitable keyway 83 for the purpose, Undue backward move ment of the arm 16 is prevented by providing the member 14with a second arm 84 whichis arranged to engage a post 86 when the arm 16 lies at its'desired backward position.

If desired, insertion of a coin through the top of theorishigamay-be: provided for as is disclosed in the'ern'hodimentof :Figure5. As here shown, thecasi-ng top wall 91 is provided with a coinreceivingslot=92 of appropriate-size' and member-s93 are fiire'd-on 'the plate-11 to provide a guideway from the slot 92 to thela-tch plat-e8. The plate 17 which carries the movable plate 39" is, of course, 7 p in this case not slotted behind theopenin'g 58" of the front plate- 57, which opening is preferably only Wide enough to displaythe appropriate symbol 62. Preferably, the plated-39" is-eont-inued to-the top wall '91'and is'provided with an extension 9l-clis1aosed '15 beneathrand adjacent such Wall and arranged,

.When the plate, 39" is retracted, to close the slot 92. In this manner, insertion of a second coin'inflthe lock is prevented-folloavingan opening operation thereof by the aid of a v'20 previously, deposited coin, and before an exit operation oft-he lock is effected.

1; Ina door lock mechanism, a movable latch-plate having a slot therein arranged to receive a coin, means arranged to releasably support saied coin in said'slot and operative there'against to' effect a retractivedisplacement of said latch-plate, means normally inoperatively disposed for preventing the insertion of a second coin in-said mechanism while said first coin is operatively disposed therein and arranged to he operatively dis- .piosed'by and upon the retract-ive displacement of said latch-plate, detent means o-pera-' tive to secure said last means in operative position, means for releasing said detent means-means operative independentlyof said firstmea'ns for releasing said coin from said slot, and means eiiecting a return of said 3 40 second "means to its normal inoperative position.

7 2; In a door lock mechanism, a movable I latchplate having a slot therein arranged to receive a coin, means operative to support 5 the coin in its slot and to act through the coin in said slotto retract the-bolt; a-casing providing an opening for the-insertion of said coin into said slot, a normally'ino-perm tive closure for said openingarranged to move in the direction of movement of and alongside the latch plate, means on said latchplate for operating said closure for completely closingsaid opening upon a displacement of said latch :plate, detent means for holding the closure in operative position and means operative independently of said first means for effecting a return of said'closure means to its inoperative position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set '60 my hand at Oakland, Califo1'n-ia,-this 20th day' of April, 1927. c ALPI IONSE GABRIEL. 

